high voltage / high tension
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high voltage
A high electrical voltage used to transmit electrical energy over long distances. Contact with high voltage is life-threatening.
Das Warnschild wies darauf hin, dass die Leitungen unter Hochspannung stehen.
The warning sign indicated that the lines were under high voltage.
high tension
A state of great tension, excitement, or anticipation in a particular situation.
Vor der Verkündung des Wahlergebnisses herrschte im Saal eine Atmosphäre der Hochspannung.
Before the election result was announced, there was an atmosphere of high tension in the hall.
The word is made up of 'hoch' (high) and 'Spannung' (voltage/tension). The two meanings derive directly from the meanings of the base word 'Spannung' (voltage/tension): electrical voltage and emotional tension.
Das Wort beschreibt sowohl eine hohe elektrische Spannung als auch eine hohe emotionale Anspannung.
The word describes both high electrical voltage and high emotional tension.
You can recognize the technical meaning from words like 'Leitung' (line/cable), 'Strom' (electricity/current), 'Volt' (volt), or 'Lebensgefahr' (danger to life). You can recognize the figurative meaning from words like 'Atmosphäre' (atmosphere), 'Film' (film), 'Finale' (final), or 'Wahlen' (elections).
Ein Schild mit „Vorsicht, Hochspannung!“ warnt vor Strom.
A sign saying 'Vorsicht, Hochspannung!' (Caution, high voltage!) warns of electricity.
In a technical context, the phrase 'unter Hochspannung stehen' (to be under high voltage) is very common for power lines. The term is also typical as a warning call: 'Vorsicht, Hochspannung!' (Caution, high voltage!).
Ein Sturm hat eine Hochspannungsleitung beschädigt, die unter Hochspannung stand.
A storm damaged a high-voltage line that was under high voltage.
In the figurative sense, people often speak of an 'Atmosphäre der Hochspannung' (atmosphere of high tension). Typical verbs are 'herrschen' (to prevail; high tension prevails) or 'für Hochspannung sorgen' (to create high tension).
Die letzten Minuten des Finales sorgten für Hochspannung im ganzen Stadion.
The final minutes of the final created high tension throughout the stadium.
tension
Anspannung and Hochspannung can both be connected with an upcoming decision. Anspannung refers to a person's inner psychological state. Hochspannung, by contrast, describes the particularly intense excitement or anticipation that characterizes an entire situation.
Kurz vor der Bekanntgabe des Ergebnisses herrscht im ganzen Saal Hochspannung.
Just before the result is announced, there is high tension throughout the hall.
Kurz vor der Bekanntgabe des Ergebnisses ist Marias Anspannung deutlich zu spüren.
Maria's tension is clearly noticeable just before the result is announced.
